Carolina Speedway opens with Trull Memorial race

This weekend, Carolina Speedway kicks off its season with the 13th Annual Skyler Trull Memorial.

About the race: Held in the honor of Skyler Trull each March and has become a fixture in the Southeast over the last decade. Skyler’s father, Larry, is a crew member and cousin of veteran racer Doug Sanders. Sanders’ car carries the colors of the event each year. The family gives out toys to children attending the race and raises money for charity.

From Carolina Speedway promoter Clint Elkins: “We’re expecting in excess of 130 racecars. The tire rule of Hoosier and American Racers will open the door for some more guys to come in. Jonathan Davenport plans to be here; we’re looking for a big turnout.”

From last year’s Carolina Clash champion and Skyler Trull winner Luke Roffers of Concord: “It probably was one of the biggest wins I’ve ever had — to win in front of a big crowd like that. The race is real special for the Skyler Trull family and hopefully we’ll have a shot at it this year.”

Drivers/teams to watch: There was a big turn-out for last weekend’s practice and more teams are doubling-up, like Team 11 in Street Stocks and Renegades. Former Renegades track champion, Patrick Lyon of Gastonia, is planning to run in the Open Wheel Modifieds division. Jamie Major will be running a Renegades car for former NASCAR crew chief Michael McSwaim (crew chief for Bobby Labonte at Joe Gibbs Racing).

“Michael is the owner of Fatback’s Tire and Auto in Dallas and he has built several cars. This is a guy that has gone from the short tracks to the pinnacle of racing and got out of the hustle and bustle. He wanted a family and to get off the road and he’s returned to his roots. They came out and practiced on Sunday and he’s rip roar ready to go—he’s wide open,” said Elkins.

Read more about Carolina Speedway on Page 3C

Carolina Speedway’s local impact

Elkins and fellow promoter Mark Gibbons have seen a positive impact on the local economy in the last six years.

500 to 800 people are expected to drive over 200 miles to this weekend’s events.

Page 2 of 2 - “That’s hotel rooms and that’s restaurants and that’s gas stations —that’s a pretty big economic impact on the area. I’d say easily a $25,000 impact on the region from this weekend,” said Elkins.

Attendance has been up 40% over six years.

Competitor entry (which is race cars) has increased by about 30%.

37 people are employed by the track on race night.

When not being used for regularly scheduled races, the track has been used by the Dirt Track Racing School (around six dates planned for 2013) and by film and T.V. crews to bring in revenue.

“Last week we had a T.V. crew for the USA Network starring NFL quarterback Kurt Warner at the track. He came out and they were filming for a couple days,” said Elkins.

The Charlotte Auto Racing Show is tied into the Skyler Trull Memorial weekend as well as to 50 different events throughout the country this year.

”Go for Grand,” schedule highlights, track renovations

“Go for the Grand” is new this season to Carolina Speedway and will feature a $10,000 points fund presented by VP Racing Fuels. Each division will pay at least $1,000 to win and will have the Chase style format. This will change up the monotony of points racing; in the past, racers have had to drive conservative to make sure they were in for the points.

The 41st annual Shrine 100 will be held Aug. 13.

The King of the Carolinas race will be held the third week in October. The purse will be $75,000.

The track has expanded its pit area and has a wireless digital scoreboard.

For more information

Carolina Speedway is located at 6335 Union Road in Gastonia. Call 704-869-0313 or visit the track’s website at www.carolinaspeedway.net.

Harris Speedway opens season this Saturday with day race:

Harris Speedway in Rutherfordton will kick off the 2013 season on Saturday with the running of the Richard Johnson Memorial. This will be a day race with the pit gates opening at 10:30 a.m., the drivers meeting scheduled for 1 p.m., and racing getting started around 2 p.m. The Grandstands gates will open at 11:30 a.m. The Super Stock 4 division and the Street Stock 4 division will be running for $1,000 to win feature event. More information can be found at www.harrisspeedway.com or contact Scott Childress at 864-346-3588 or Marion Limbaugh at 864-238-2254.